Gardening in the North East - what are you doing at the moment?

stilernin

With apologies to Little Vics, for taking this idea................. what is everyone doing in the North East at the moment? I am guessing it might be different to Yorks.

I have been in this area for only 3 years (moved from Herts) and am finding it difficult to adjust to the later season and my heavy clay soil in the garden. I did quite a bit of veg in pots last year and am now near the top of the waiting list for a half plot at the local allotments.

Today it actually hailed for a few moments :eek: and I feel rather out of my (softy southerner) comfort zone. Any NE MSEers care to join in here to let me know what they are doing and to keep me motivated?

retro_bluebell

Hi

Im in Durham and can totally relate to the issues of clay soil! We have lots probably because its a new build house too so i think theres lots of mortare etc of the build in our soil.

Ive had to dig up my conifer trees I planted 2 years ago as they just didnt grow- they didnt die but didnt grow- they are now thriving in pots. Um not too sure what Im doing to be honest as Im still a very novice gardener! I have a big plastic greenhouse and have veg in there, I had 2 smaller ones last years and successfully grew runner beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. This year we are adding Leeks, garlic and potatoes.

Sorry Im waffling a bit- just wanted to reply and say good to see someone from up here

ETA Im so very jealous of your impending allotment!

ruby.gitane

I'm in Tyne and Wear too - but a complete newbie to growing anything, and I think killing more of my veg growing experiments then I'm actually keeping alive. Including the 'don't worry survives everything, you can't kill it' perpetual spinach. It looks all wilty and sad.

maypole

In Northumberland here. I grow only shrubs and flowers. But have planted up some seeds for salad leaves on my windowsill (I got them free from Lakeland with the catalogue.)
Have been busy planting some summer bulbs and new shrubs, am on the coast, so sandy soil, but I enrich it as much as I can.

dorisday

Hi im in newcastle and have just bought myself a greenhouse!!:j
I have in the greenhouse tomatoes peppers lettuce spinach parsley spring onions rocket and some busy lizzies. I have noticed a marked improvement in the plants since they went inside. Its still cold up here and last night got down to 2 degrees:eek: should have put some heating on in the gh but want to save on power so shall have to cover everything up with fleece. Its just started raining here havent had any for 2 weeks and of course ive just watered everything.
Outside ive got 5 blueberry bushes 1 cherry tree 2 apples and 1 pear tree and 1 apricot tree and 2 strawberry plants in hanging baskets, and mustnt forget 11 raspberry bushes all planted this year. Everything but the raspberries are in containers as I have slabs down with only a small 18" raised border around the garden and its very small.oops I forgot ive also got carrots onions and potatoes in containers. It definately is hard work looking after this lot but I enjoy it. How is everyone else doing?

ruby.gitane

Would a cherry tree grow in a pot do you think? I fancy a few trees in pots, currently longing for a cherry, a bay and maybe if they stay healthy something like a fig. But don't want to do it if I'm just going to kill them keeping them in containers.

dorisday

Its a container grown cherry tree or should I say dwarf tree. Grows upright to about 7/8ft. same as the apple/pear trees.

retro_bluebell

ruby.gitane wrote: »

Would a cherry tree grow in a pot do you think? I fancy a few trees in pots, currently longing for a cherry, a bay and maybe if they stay healthy something like a fig. But don't want to do it if I'm just going to kill them keeping them in containers.

I have an apple tree in a pot (forgot about that) and its doing well, its still too young to go outside though so is on the windowsill. Should start trying to harden it soon I think, but its still far too cold here atm!

lovelife_3

Hey, i am in Newcastle too and a complete newbie at growing veg etc, but really enjoying it, i like the idea of this thread being local I have got my salad leaves growing in a trough, got a mixed pack of seeds from Asda for a pound. They are all doing nicely, but i put all the seeds in at once lol, not sure whether to thin them out or not, any tips appreciated. Dorisday i would love a greenhouse, lucky you, where did you buy it from?

dorisday

morning all, got my greenhouse from a place in cramlington. Used my 2010 holiday money for it plus accessories but I think its worth it as 2 years ago tried to grow loads of stuff but it rained so much pots where swimming with water so had to dispose ofr them all - what a waste - My back garden is only tiny so it takes up quite a bit of room 6 x 4 but I dont care:)
have already tried some of the baby leafs off the lettuce and boy do they taste good, so good in fact had to throw a packet of salad leaves I had bought the other day as the tast was so different, did the same with the organic spinnach.
I found I can also sit in the gh close tyhe door and its so peacefull and warm (sad arent I):rotfl:
Off to the garden centre now to buy a few bedding plants just to give a bit of colour in my raised bed.

maypole

I think when the seedlings get their first proper set of leaves, you have to thin them, otherwise all the plants will be weak. Hope I am right as I have sown lots into one pot:o